NewsAccidents/Incidents
Heir of aviation dynasty Olivier Dassault dies in helicopter crash
Olivier Dassault, son and grandson of aviation industrialists Serge and Marcel Dassault, died in a helicopter crash in Calvados, northwestern France.
On March 7, 2021, the AS350 helicopter, registered as F-GIBM, was taking off from a private residence in Touques, northwestern France, when according to a source close to the investigation, the aircraft hit a tree.
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7 Years On - What We Know About The Disappearance Of MH370
The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is one of the greatest aviation mysteries of our time. On March 8th, 2014, a Boeing 777 flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing disappeared from radar screens, having deviated from its planned course. The aircraft is still yet to be found, but what exactly do we know about this curious incident seven years later?
LinkCommercial
Merger of biggest leasing companies GECAS and AerCap on the horizon?
General Electric (GE) is near a deal to merge its aircraft leasing subsidiary General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) with AerCap, another leading aircraft leasing company.
The deal, estimated to have a market valuation of around $30 billion, would combine GE’s aircraft leasing arm GECAS and AerCap, an Ireland-based aircraft lessor.
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Boeing ponders a $4 billion credit facility
As Boeing’s fortunes are yet to turn around, the manufacturer is looking at the possibility to acquire a new revolving credit facility.
Boeing has reportedly approached several banks for the possibility of acquiring a $4 billion revolving credit facility, reported Reuters, citing a source familiar with the matter. The option to increase the credit facility to $6 billion is also on the table, as Boeing continues to struggle amidst the current downturn in travel.
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Aerion secures order for 20 supersonic business jets
Business jet operator NetJets, a subsidiary of Warren Buffet’s conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aerion to acquire 20 of their AS2 supersonic business jets. Aerion now has a potential order book of 300 aircraft. The company values the backlog at over $10 billion.
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COMAC aims to certify C919 by year-end; looks to develop domestic engines
While the certification process of the Chinese-made competitor to the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft families has dragged on, it seems like the C919 is a few steps away from finally being able to fly commercially. Furthermore, China has reiterated its plans to develop a domestic alternative to the CFM International LEAP-1C, the only engine variant currently available for use for the Chinese narrow-body.
LinkAirlines
Wizz Air continues on expansion plans - opens its 42nd base
A Hungarian low-cost air carrier Wizz Air opened its 42nd base, which is located in Palermo, Italy. The airline plans to base two Airbus A321 aircraft in June 2021.
The new base is the airline’s fourth base in Italy, following Bari, Catania, and Milan Malpensa.
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A Look At The Routes A350 Startup PRAGUSA.ONE Will Fly
Earlier today, Simple Flying brought to you the exclusive story of PRAGUSA.ONE, a startup airline that plans to operate a fleet of four A350 aircraft in an all-premium economy configuration only. Now, let’s take a look at some of the routes that PRAGUSA.ONE plans to operate.
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Eurowings To Set Up A Base At Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Starting on April 1st, Eurowings will base three of its Airbus A320s at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. The low-cost leisure specialist says that with every third departure from the airport now a Eurowings flight, it is gearing up to fly the German capital’s residents to their ‘well-deserved’ holidays after lockdown ends.
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Former British Airways Boeing 747s Reregistered In Bermuda
Four former British Airways Boeing 747s have been re-registered on the Bermudan aircraft registry. The aircraft have all been in storage in Teruel, Spain, since they were ferried out on April 3rd, 2020.
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Amazing: Kam Air Flies First Flight With All-Female Flight Crew In Afghanistan
A flight in Afghanistan recently made history, as Kam Air operated the first service with an all-female crew onboard. Two female pilots accompanied by four women cabin crew flew the 737-500 from Kabul to Herat. Popular aviation YouTuber Josh Cahill was onboard; here’s what the experience was like.
LinkAirports
How Could Lifting LaGuardia's Perimeter Rule Impact The Airport?
New York’s LaGuardia Airport is one of the most convenient airports for much of New York City and its surrounding areas. However, it is vastly limited in terms of the flights that it can host, thanks to a perimeter rule. From time-to-time, there is some talk about lifting that perimeter rule. But, just how would lifting that perimeter rule impact LaGuardia Airport (LGA)?
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London City Airport survey finds strong desire to return to domestic and international travel
The survey showed a willingness from participants to adapt to the post-COVID-19 landscape, including possible pre-departure negative COVID-19 test result and proof of vaccination requirements.
LinkMilitary
French Rafale F3R boasts new Meteor “game-changer” missile
The F3R Standard of the Dassault Rafale fighter jet reached another milestone with the integration of the Meteor missile.
Developed by MBDA within the framework of cooperation involving France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Spain, and Germany, the Meteor is a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The weapon has a range of over 150 kilometers (90 miles) and can reach Mach 4 speed.
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Aviation Quote
Recently a man asked whether the business of flying ever could be regulated by rules and statutes. I doubt it. Not that flying men are lawless. No one realizes better than they the need for discipline. But they have learned discipline through constant contact with two of the oldest statutes in the universe - the law of gravity and the law of self-preservation.
Ten feet off the ground these two laws supersede all others and there is little hope of their repeal.
- Walter Hinton, in an adventure article on flying in Liberty magazine, 24 July 1926.
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